Piers and Columns in

Bridge Engineering
 MEMBERS

THORMAN CAPTAIN KEEN IRON ABDUL

 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
TYPE OF PIERS

COLUMN
PIERS AND
COLUMNS

INTRODUCTION
KEY
DIFFERENCE
• Piers and columns are vertical supports
transferring loads from the superstructure
to the foundation.
• Essential for ensuring bridge stability,
strength, and durability.
Primary Functions of Piers:
1.Vertical Support: Transfer vertical loads from the
superstructure to the foundations.
2.Lateral Resistance: Resist horizontal forces such as wind,
water currents, and seismic loads.

Design Considerations:
•Modern designs account for high lateral loads from seismic
events, even in areas with low seismic activity.
•Ductility is a key focus to ensure structural resilience under
dynamic forces.
•Definition: Vertical structural elements that
primarily support loads from the superstructure
and transfer them to the foundation.
•Purpose: Columns are general structural
members used in various types of construction,
including buildings and bridges. In the context of
bridges, they support the loads from beams,
girders, or the bridge deck.
•Design: Typically, slender and may be
circular, rectangular, or square in
cross-section.
•Use Case: Common in bridges with continuous
spans where multiple columns support the deck
at regular intervals.
• Selection of the type of piers for a
bridge should be based on functional,
structural, and geometric
requirements.
• Esthetics is also a very important
factor of selection because modern
highway bridges are Piers and
Columns
Type of Piers
• Solid Wall Piers
• Hammerhead Piers
• Rigid Frame Piers
Solid Wall Piers
Solid wall piers are vertical substructures
with a continuous, solid wall design that
supports bridge spans. They are typically
used in short to medium spans, offering
simplicity and strength.
Purpose:
• Vertical Load Support
• Lateral Force Resistance
• Economy
• Durability
Hammerhead Piers
Hammerhead piers feature a column-like
vertical shaft topped with a horizontal cap
that extends outward, resembling a
hammer's head.
They are designed to support wide bridge
decks while minimizing the footprint of the
vertical support.
Purpose:
• Space Efficiency
• Load Distribution
• Aesthetic Design
• Flexibility
Rigid Frame Piers
Rigid Frame Piers are structural elements in
bridge design where the pier and
superstructure are monolithically connected,
forming a continuous framework. This design
eliminates joints, ensuring seamless load
transfer and enhancing overall stability.
Purpose:
• Efficient Load Transfer
• Increased Structural Stability
• Reduced Maintenance
• Cost-Effectiveness
• Aesthetic Appeal
The design of structural components, including
piers and columns, is aimed at meeting both
strength and serviceability requirements. Piers,
as structural elements, are subjected to a
combination of axial, bending, and shear
forces. In reinforced concrete piers, the
bending strength is influenced by axial forces,
and the shear strength is also affected by both
bending and axial loads. For longer columns,
the actual behavior is influenced by the P-Δ
effect, which amplifies the bending moment
due to axial forces.
Modern bridge design increasingly
considers the detrimental effects of
earthquakes, making ductility a critical
factor in design. Additionally, scouring is
a common cause of bridge failure. To
mitigate this risk, bridge designers must
collaborate closely with hydraulic
engineers to establish appropriate
foundation cover depths and implement
effective protective measures.
 A pile extension pier consists of a
drilled shaft foundation with a circular
column extending above it, offering a
space-efficient solution ideal for
constrained areas, such as bridge
widening projects.
Pier selection depends on several
factors: superstructure type (e.g., steel
girders favor cantilevered piers, while
concrete superstructures use monolithic
bents), location (pier walls suit river
crossings, column bents are better for
street crossings), and height (taller piers
often have hollow sections to reduce
weight and foundation demands). Table
2.1 provides general selection
guidelines for different bridge types.
Piers are commonly subjected to forces and loads transmitted
from the superstructure and forces acting directly on the
substructure. Some of the loads and forces to be resisted by piers
include the following:
• Dead loads
• Live loads and impact from the superstructure
• Wind loads on the structure and the live loads
• Centrifugal force from the live loads
• Longitudinal force from live loads
• Drag forces due to the friction at bearings
• Stream flow pressure
• Ice pressure
• Earthquake forces
• Thermal and shrinkage forces
• Ship impact forces
• Force due to prestressing of superstructure
• Forces due to differential settlement of foundations
• Load Resistance: Handles vertical and lateral loads.
• Slenderness Ratio: Determines buckling likelihood.
• Durability: Resists corrosion, erosion, and freeze-
thaw cycles.

• Alignment: Precise alignment ensures even load

distribution.
• Foundation: Varies with soil conditions (shallow
or deep).
• Seismic Resilience: Designed for ductility and
flexibility.
• Inspection: Regular checks for damage or wear.
• Retrofit Strategies: Includes jacketing, reinforcement,
or FRP wraps.

• Aesthetics: Designs that combine functionality

with visual appeal.
• Sustainability: Eco-friendly materials and
construction techniques.
Column: A component of a pier,
specifically designed for vertical load
transfer.
Pier: The entire intermediate supporting
structure, which may include columns
and other elements like a pier cap or
footing.
 Piers and columns are essential structural
components of bridges, providing vertical support for
the superstructure and transferring loads to the
foundation. They must be designed to handle
various forces, including the weight of the bridge,
live loads, and environmental factors like wind and
seismic activity. Piers and columns come in various
shapes and configurations, depending on the bridge
type and design requirements. They play a critical
role in ensuring stability, durability, and reliability
while contributing to the bridge's overall
appearance. Proper design, construction, and
maintenance of piers and columns are crucial for the
long-term performance of the bridge.
Identify what type of pier the picture
shows

TWIST
SOLID WALL PIER – HAMMERHEAD PIER
HAMMERHEAD PIER – RIGID FRAME PIER
RIGID FRAME PIER – SOLID WALL PIER
 ACTIVITY

DOCTOR DOOM LOKI ULTRON

THANOS